Oh hey Friday,
Sorry for being MIA yesterday. Matt’s company-to-be (assuming he accepts the offer for summer employment) treated us to dinner at Durham’s Vin Rouge. I was pumped that I was invited to join, because Vin Rouge has been on my list since we moved! I’m not always crazy about French food, but have heard fabulous things about this spot and the restaurant itself is adorable.
I had a glass of pinot noir and a glass of cabernet franc throughout the evening (well maybe more because the waitress topped me off one, perhaps two times…)
The bread was crusty french bread, which was actually a bit hard to chew. But the pesto/olive dip was delish.
I started with shrimp and mussels provençal. Everything was soaked in butter and garlic so this was obv. to-die-for.
The main event was enormous, and I think I’m the only person who cleaned the plate. Maybe that wasn’t goo etiquette? This was a bone-in pork chop over mashed potatoes and braised cabbage in an apple cider vinegar. This tasted more German than French to me, but I loved it. We didn’t eat until 9 (and I’m a 6 o’clock dinner eater) so I was thankful for the big portion.
Dessert was a bit disappointing on the portion front. This was the lemon tart – the flavor was very nice, but I like a bit more volume.
Dinner was truly wonderful, and the best part is that I really enjoyed getting to know some of Matt’s future colleagues. I’m so proud of him for getting an offer at an awesome company!!
—
Now, I’m off to volunteer for a big MBA auction we are having tonight, and then I’ll be attending the event! See ya
Layla
February 25, 2012 at 12:29 amSo I’m cringing: Matt was really okay with your taking pictures of the food at this important business dinner? I’m sure everyone was very nice and very polite about it, but all I can imagine is that it made you look like a rube who’s very un-used to dining in nice restaurants. It just seems like it would have been a good night to lay off the photographing to spare Matt’s professional image.
Laura
February 25, 2012 at 9:15 amIt wasn’t an important business dinner per se – but a congratulatory dinner where Matt was welcomed to the company! There were quite a few other students there (who know about the blog). During introductions, we actually had to say an interesting fact about ourselves, which worked out perfectly because I got to say ‘I have a blog which is why you’ll see me taking pictures…’ Everyone loved it and they were actually excited to go read the post the next day to see how I documented the dinner:)
Nescett @bananaoats.com
February 25, 2012 at 12:19 pmI was going to ask you about the pictures as well, only because my blog is new and my friends and family think it’s silly when I’m constantly taking pictures. Do you/did you ever run into that? Often I don’t take the pictures I want to so as to avoid annoying everyone!
Laura
February 25, 2012 at 5:44 pmIt can def. be uncomfortable, but not so much with friends and family because they are soo familiar with the blog (and yours will likely warm up to it). If the dinner setting on Thursday had involved clients or if Matt were being evaluated in some way (like a post-interview dinner), then I’d probably skip the pictures. I also don’t keep a food diary (don’t document breakfast, lunch, snacks, ect) which makes it a lot easier because I wouldn’t feel comfortable photographing food at work…. Aside from formal settings though, I personally don’t think it’s that annoying, especially if you’re just whipping out a small point and shoot. Good luck with your new blog:)
Melissa
February 25, 2012 at 5:50 amHi Laura,
Glad you had a great night. I’m a business major just curious- is Matt getting his MBA and what type of work does he hope to do when he graduates?
Laura
February 25, 2012 at 9:16 amThanks! He is getting his MBA and is going into consulting for the summer. If he likes the work, he’ll probably end up in consulting after he graduates!
Miranda
February 26, 2012 at 11:22 pmI think it’s kind of silly how people just assume that you wouldn’t give any consideration to your partner’s professional image and would take pictures even if it was inappropriate! You definitely seem much more self-aware than that to me. Dinner looked delicious 🙂 And hope you had fun at the auction!
Laura
February 27, 2012 at 9:42 pmThanks Miranda:)
ilovefetacheese
March 4, 2012 at 3:25 amNot sure if you eat pork but their bacon mac n cheese is AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGG
Laura
March 4, 2012 at 9:35 pmI’ve heard that too!! I’ve gotta go back!